The title above is the mantra Steve Sinclair runs his life and his business by. He is a reasonably quiet individual when you meet him but his passion for getting the best out of yourself is evident when you speak about him to his staff. He understands his people and they understand him.

Steve undertook his training in the meat and livestock industry with his father Rob and then with one of Australia’s largest meat export companies Tancred Bros during the 1980’s. Here he learned the ins and outs of butchery, animal health and welfare and the business behind wholesale meats, which established an ideal foundation in the industry.

When Tancred Bros shut down in 1990 a void was left in the supply of wholesale meat. Steve and wife Gerry with some key customers backing them with regular orders began their own business– delivering the highest quality beef and lamb to wholesale customers.Wholesale meats was his game, and within 5 years his company was supplying meat to butchers and supermarkets nationwide (and still does). The company has since expanded rapidly and now produces quality livestock across 5 farms located in Waubra, Coghills Creek, Bald Hills, Langi Kal Kal and Hamilton.

Most of the 5 farms are irrigated, providing the cattle and sheep with the very best quality feed and conditions. Steve’s passion for the best quality is secured by the company controlling its own supply chain of stock to market. His commitment and vision to provide quality to his customers straight from their own farms is at the heart of his process.2007 saw him open Mega Meats in Latrobe Street Ballarat to offer his quality meats direct to the public. Recently a second store has opened in Howitt Street called The Gypsy’s Lunchbox. This store is run by daughter Jessica and soon to be son in law Adrian, specializing in cooked wholesome local produce and provides customers with both sit-in and take-away dining showcasing the award winning produce.

Today we see Steve managing a business with over 90 staff across farming, logistics, retail and butchery. A real success story of our region, Sinclair Meats is these days renowned for their high quality beef & lamb “Waubra Prime” which is a product grown and fattened at the company owned farm approximately 30km north-west of Ballarat. They pride themselves on being able to deliver this paddock to plate experience to those loyal customers in and around Ballarat.Our meat is sourced locally from our farm in Waubra only a few kilometres away. In today’s marketplace saturated by large corporate-owned supermarkets this is truly unique. Sinclair Meats offers low food kilometres which lowers the environmental impact of getting this food from the paddock to the customer’s plate.

Interestingly, Sinclair Meats provides many of Ballarat’s commercial kitchens with their meat every day from their Latrobe Street store which is open and delivers to these businesses 7 days a week. From cafes to restaurants to bistro’s - some of our favorite local eateries stock Sinclair Meats product such as Mitchell Harris, The Red Lion, The Mercure Lodge and The Western Hotel along with many other district businesses including Ballan Healthcare and the Creswick IGA Supermarket.The 2015 Commerce Ballarat Business Awards saw them win both the paddock to plate award and the trade business award, this was a real ‘pat on the back’ for the staff involved in the day to day running of the business and gave them a real sense of achievement.

The store in Latrobe Street has recently undergone a complete revamp with new branding to reposition Mega Meats as Sinclair Meats – your local butcher. This transformation has been undertaken by local studio Nashish Marketing and Design, the fit out, signwriting and printing has all been sourced locally.The company has a deep association with their local community and spending their own money within Ballarat is important to them. They employ local people through the stores and their farm, providing a valuable contribution to the local economy.Keep an eye out for their ‘Locals’ video series coming to social media very soon. You’ll be impressed by their story, their products and their commitment to being the best at everything they do. Call in to the new look store at 828 Latrobe Street and see for yourself.